Sometimes it is good to be a heretic

[SumTinWong]

Once again, Baptists/Anabaptists, members of this forum only...

Have you ever noticed that you don't mind being called a heretic by those who don't agree with your theology as opposed to those who do? I know there are people in CF that think I am a heretic because I do not believe certain things about Mary or because I do not advocate the real presence in communion. I don't mind that.

But if somone here was to think something I said was heretical, it may give me pause to doubt my position.

Anyway in the eyes of some, the ones that I do not agree with theologically I am a heretic and I am not sad about this. It seems to me that heresy is a relative term. People can say they we are heretics in opposition to what they believe, but we say the same about them. I am just rambling here but I just think sometimes it is good to be called a heretic in teh eyes of those who I think are on the wrong track...

 

[Gold Dragon]

The greek word for heretic is hairetikos which is a schismatic or someone who divides or factions. If you are called this by someone who you are already divided from, it isn't a big deal. If you are called this by someone you consider to be united with, it is a bigger deal.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

The greek word for heretic is hairetikos which is a schismatic or someone who divides or factions. If you are called this by someone who you are already divided from, it isn't a big deal. If you are called this by someone you consider to be united with, it is a bigger deal.

I agree with this statement, but I would add something to what you say Bud. When I am called a heretic, and the person in question shells out some theology, or in your case probably more along the lines of philosophy it gives me pause. I tend to reflect on what was said and see if I can grow from it and understand their position. Usually, I'm right and thats all there is to it (no doubt ), but occasionally I find myself mistaken. (hows that for humility...haha...)

In anycase, I dont too much mind it. Sometimes it makes me righteously angry especially when the truth is plain to see.

 

[eldermike]

If you notice "statements of faith", they all begin with "we believe". So, yes it's important to look closely at those that question our beliefs if they are under the same statement of faith. I agree that's it's less important to consider such statements from those outside our beliefs.

 

[seebs]

Everyone's a heretic to someone. I don't worry about it.

 

[SumTinWong]

I agree with all of the above. I enjoy everyone in this corner of the forum even if I do not agree with you all the time Our base seems to be the same, and of course our Saviour is.

Just wanting to keep things in perspective, for myself anyway. I like what Elder Mike said, it is important to reflect on what we believe, but in the end what they think of what we believe is not as important.

 

[Matthan]

Bud, I agree completely with your post. However, do you realize it was not too many years ago that you would have been totured without end just for thinking such heresy, much less stating it publically. And, your torturers would have been "christians", too! Isn't that sad....

Matthan <J><

 

[Matthan]

I think we should all stress solidarity! That's why I hereby suggest we all adopt Uncle Bud's avitar!!!!! Now, wouldn't that scare the {edited word} out of a bunch of heretics!!!!!!

Matthan (currently looking for a picture of an orangatang) <J><

 

[CFoster]

Matthan (currently looking for a picture of an orangatang) <J><

 

[MbiaJc]

Once again, Baptists/Anabaptists, members of this forum only...

Have you ever noticed that you don't mind being called a heretic by those who don't agree with your theology as opposed to those who do? I know there are people in CF that think I am a heretic because I do not believe certain things about Mary or because I do not advocate the real presence in communion. I don't mind that.

But if somone here was to think something I said was heretical, it may give me pause to doubt my position.

Anyway in the eyes of some, the ones that I do not agree with theologically I am a heretic and I am not sad about this. It seems to me that heresy is a relative term. People can say they we are heretics in opposition to what they believe, but we say the same about them. I am just rambling here but I just think sometimes it is good to be called a heretic in teh eyes of those who I think are on the wrong track...[/QUOTE]

 

[MbiaJc]

I think we should all stress solidarity! That's why I hereby suggest we all adopt Uncle Bud's avitar!!!!! Now, wouldn't that scare the {edited word} out of a bunch of heretics!!!!!!

Matthan (currently looking for a picture of an orangatang) <J><

 

[ZiSunka]

To call someone a heretic means that you want to be considered separate from them, that their doctrine and your doctrine are incompatible. When someone from whom you are already separated doctrinally says they want to be separate from you, they are merely stating something that already exists. But when someone who has been doctrinally united with you says they want to be separated from you, it hurts because all close relationship schisms hurt.

It makes you stop and think about what you said and why someone would allow that to separate you, and then you start to think about how and if the relationship can be mended by either adjusting your position or coming to a concensus or by agreeing to disagree, or it the relationship is doomed because your doctrines cannot be reconciled at all.

It's like when anabaptists first separated from catholicism, they were called heretics because their theology and doctrine was incompatible with catholicism thus they had to be a separate group. Sometimes that made people mad enough to kill each other because often the schism divided friends and family members and no one likes that kind of loss, and because they feared that the schism would spread and more people would fall out of relationship with each other.

 

[Iollain]

I agree Uncle Bud.

 

[Crazy Liz]

I view all separations in the Body of Christ and all anathematization of believers as tragic evidence of our sinful state.

So I guess I disagree with all of you. I hope you won't call me a heretic for it.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

I view all separations in the Body of Christ and all anathematization of believers as tragic evidence of our sinful state.

It is sad indeed, I wish it didnt have to be this way. The day will come when we are unified, as one body in Christ as was originally intended. However, doctrinal differences force us apart and since there is only one truth, we cannot be all embracing of everyone's doctrine.

So I guess I disagree with all of you. I hope you won't call me a heretic for it.

let you ye be anatha.... j/k..... Be Blessed Crazy, i hope you have a blessed Lord's Day.

 

[SumTinWong]

I view all separations in the Body of Christ and all anathematization of believers as tragic evidence of our sinful state.

I don't think any of us are happy that we are seperate or that there are people who call others heretical. I think that most of this is caused by pride in our sinful state. Many of us are happy that we are seperate from doctrines, and dogmas that we disagree with, but not the people whom we are supposed to be brothers and sisters with.

So I guess I disagree with all of you. I hope you won't call me a heretic for it.

Do you? I don't think so, I do't see anyone disagreeing with you.

 

[SumTinWong]

I think we should all stress solidarity! That's why I hereby suggest we all adopt Uncle Bud's avitar!!!!! Now, wouldn't that scare the {edited word} out of a bunch of heretics!!!!!!

Matthan (currently looking for a picture of an orangatang) <J><

Hey now that would probably get the people here thinking we all fall into the evil-ution catagory. One clyde is enough

 

[Gold Dragon]

I view all separations in the Body of Christ and all anathematization of believers as tragic evidence of our sinful state.

Agreed.

So I guess I disagree with all of you.

Not at all. I think most would agree that this is a sad thing. Of course, every group in that separation believes they are right at the exclusion of those they consider "others".

I hope you won't call me a heretic for it.

OrthodoxyUSA had an interesting alternative phrase for heretic : Potentially Orthodox.

 

[Matthan]

I keep thinking of the words of our Lord when He advised us that, while many would want to be called (lots of people will want to be Christians, and will even claim to be Christians), only a few will actually be chosen by God to receive eternal life.

Now, if we look at that warning, what can we logically conclude? Jesus has given us a roadmap of sorts with His teachings, combined with those of His apostles. That map consists of a single, straight, narrow line, and the line leads from life to eternal life.

Furthermore, we have only one source for that reference, and that is Holy Scripture. There is nothing else, folks! So, we can either believe what we find in Scripture, and follow it "religiously", or we can vere off that pathway and look for our own route.

The road map is actually very simple to follow. If we truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God (and therefore the Christ of God and the foundation for His Church), we will be granted the free gift of eternal life. That is His promise to us, made over and over again.

Then, we must do the work of God. Jesus even tells us what that work is. It is to believe in Him as the Christ of God. Faith plus works! Belief in Jesus plus continued belief in Jesus. Talk about simplicity.

Which makes me wonder why people, using the empty philosopy that humans are famous for, would want to take a detour off the narrow pathway and, at the same time, throw up road blocks in their own paths? Maryology? Real presence? Icons? Prayer beads? Popes? Relics? Traditions? They are all roadblocks, human-made, and designed for only one purpose, which is to hamper or even prevent clinging to the one true pathway to Heaven.

It sure makes me wonder....

Matthan <J><

 

[CFoster]

It is sad indeed, I wish it didnt have to be this way. The day will come when we are unified, as one body in Christ as was originally intended. However, doctrinal differences force us apart and since there is only one truth, we cannot be all embracing of everyone's doctrine.

I may be off base here, but I am interpreting this as saying that when groups seperate from one Church to form another we also split the body of Christ. I don't think this is possible. While the body of Christ has many different parts, it is and will always be one body.